Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.
After President Trump tweeted that he was poised to send in federal agents to combat crime in Chicago, San Bernardino city officials thought they should ask for some help themselves.
If Chicago doesn't fix the horrible "carnage" going on, 228 shootings in 2017 with 42 killings (up 24% from 2016), I will send in the Feds!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 25, 2017
San Bernardino has one of the highest crime rates in California with a per capita murder rate that exceeds Chicago's.
So, the city of San Bernardino sent a letter to the White House last month asking for help battling violent crime and drugs. It was signed by the mayor, all members of the city council, and several other officials, including the police chief.
Then controversy arose over how the letter came to be, and city officials were accused of breaking the law. A complaint was filed and demands were made to retract the letter.
For more on the motivation behind the letter and its fallout, Take Two's A Martinez spoke with Ryan Hagen, who has reported on this for the San Bernardino Sun.
To hear the interview, click on the blue Media Player above.